Switch-handle



H. U. BADEAU.

SWITCH HANDLE.

APPLICATlON FILED APR. 9, 1918.

E, 51 1 Patented May 25, 1920.

Inventor:

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ML AMA ttj J UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFIQE.

HARRY U'. BADEAU, 0F BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE BRYANT ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF BBIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CON- NECTICUT.

SWITCH-HANDLE.

Application filed April 9, 1918.

vented certain new and useful Improvements in Switch-Handles, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to switch handles and particularly to snap switch handles, the object of my invention being to provide a simple locking device to prevent the accidental escape of the handle from the snap switch spindle.

In the accompanying drawing,

Figure 1 is a plan of a rotary snap switch in which my invention is embodied in one form;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof partly in section;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line 3--3, Fi 2, but drawn to a larger scale.

Tn rotary snap switches, it is customary to secure the switch handle or thumb piece to the switch spindle by screwing the same down 011 the threaded upper end of the spindle. The direction of the threads is such that the handle screws down in the same direction as that in which the spindle must be rotated to actuate the switch. There is nothing, however, to prevent the escape of the handle from the switch on reverse rotation thereof. Nor can a fastening of this simple type be utilized where the switch may be actuated by turning the spindle in either direction. The present invention provides a simple locking device by which the handle is secured to the spindle so as not only to prevent its accidental escape therefrom, but also to permit the switch to be operated in either direction where the mechanism is of such character that this is possible.

To illustrate my invention, I have here shown a snap switch of ordinary type, comprising an insulating base 10 carrying a switch mechanism (not shown) mounted on the switch spindle 11. The latter projects upward through the cover 12 which is positioned on the base by a stud 13 on the latter taking into a notch in the margin of the cover. Above the top of the cover, the spindle is tapped at 14 and is continued at its outer end by a reduced stem 15 tapped on a less pitch.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 25', 1920.

Serial No. 227,540.

The switch handle 16 is centrally pierced and has molded therein a sleeve 17 offset at its lower end 18 to support the washer 19, against which bears the lower end of the coil spring 20. The upper end of this spring bears against the lower face of the rectangular head 21 of the ferrule which slides freely in a correspondingly shaped recess in the switch handle 16 and is integral with a sleeve 22 internally tapped to screw onto the threaded area 14 of the spindle 11. The stem 15 of the spindle passes freely through the head 21 of the ferrule and projects above the latter a sufiicient distance to receive a lock nut 23. The latter is of such dimensions that it is completely housed within the chamber surrounding the stem 15, while, at the same time, the length of the stem 15 is so predetermined that, when the lock nut bears against the head 21 of the ferrule, the transverse slot 24 formed in the lock nut to receive a screw driver, is not obstructed by the end of the stem.

The operation of the device is readily understood. The switch handle is first provided with the sleeve 17, spring 20, and ferrule 2122, and with these elements forms a unit which is screwed upon the threaded stem 14 of the switch spindle 11. After the switch handle is screwed home thereon, the stem 15 projects into the cham her in the handle lying above the head 21 of the ferrule. The lock nut 23 is now screwed onto this stem 15 and turned down hard against the ferrule by means of a screw driver. Although the threads on the spindle 14 and stem 15 are cut in the same direction, so that both the lock nut and the switch handle unscrew in the same direction, yet the less pitch of the threads on the stem 15 prevents the unscrewing of the handle from the spindle until the lock nut has first been independently unscrewed. Obviously, accidental escape of the switch handle from the spindle is thus prevented, especially where there is no opportunity for the lock nut to work loose, as is the case in the present construction by reason of the close friction fit between its outer surface and the wall of the chamber in which it is housed. Similarly, where a fastening of this type is used, not only is the accidental escape of the switch handle prevented, but if the mechanism is such as to permit it, the spindle may be rotated in either direction without loosening the handle on the switch stem.

Various modifications in details of construction and arrangement will readily occur to those skilled in the art, which do not depart from what I claim as my invention, and the accompanying drawing and description are to be regarded as merely illustrative thereof.

I claim 1. In an electric switch, a rotary switch spindle having at one end threaded portions of diiierent pitch a switch handle screwing on one of said portions and a lock nut screwing on the portion of less pitch and bearing against said handle to hold the same against reverse rotation.

2. In an electric switch, a rotary switch spindle having at one end threaded portions of different diameter and pitch, a switch handle screwing on the portion of greater diameter and a lock nut screwing on the portion of less diameter and pitch and hearing against said handle to hold the latter against reverse rotation.

3. In an electric switch, a switch handle pierced to receive a switch spindle, a spindle projecting into the bore of said handle from one end and having portions within said bore threaded to different pitches, together with a handle member screwing on oneof said threaded portions, and a lock nut entering said bore from its opposite end and screwed on another portion of said spindle having a less pitch for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

HARRY II. BADEAU. 

